I believe you are right Jorge. It was a fundamental shift that occurred. The economists were advisors, not decision-makers. Making decisions based purely on economics requires no technical understanding of the product or processes. That's one of the evident symptoms. These days, management has no knowledge of, nor do they care, about what is entailed in making the product.
I just started trying APX this spring because I needed a box of 4x5" FAST, and my local shop happened to have one. I had just about decided I liked it (for certain scenes) at least as well as FP4+, and ordered some more. Then came the chop. I did manage to get hold of four boxes of 9x12cm before Europe was empty...
I still have half a bot of TMX 13x18cm. Maybe I should hang on to it for the day when it becomes a valuable antique?
Never used Kodak stuff much myself-till I discovered VP that is. At least I still have a decent stock of Ektalure left. I'll certainly be having a go with AZO. I bet loads more people would buy Kodak's products like these if they were pushed more.